Familiar Green

New Zealander, Indianapolis-based Indycar driver, Scott Dixon talks to Democrat and Chronicle writer James Johnson about racing at the world-famous race track Watkins Glen International in New York. Dixon has three victories in IndyCar races at Watkins Glen. “It’s very much like racing in New Zealand,” the Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver said. “It’s an old circuit, a great layout, lots of elevation changes. The scenery [around the track] is very similar to New Zealand, as well. Lots of rolling hills, very green, rains quite often. It’s almost like going back in time as far as to where I started my career. To me, it’s a lovely place to go.” Dixon, a two-time series champion and the IndyCar wins leader with 22, has one victory this season. He led 167 of the 2 laps of the Road Runner Turbo Indy 3 on May 1 at Kansas Speedway. “Don’t count him out,” ESPN analyst Scott Goodyear said. “He’s the guy that maybe hangs in there, then comes and gets things done at the end. And he likes that.”